Emma is a British contemporary artist, born and raised in London.
Predominantly a portrait painter, she finds inspiration through human connection and seeks to celebrate the beauty in humanity.
Emma took the leap in becoming a full-time artist during the pandemic, after her job in the events industry was made redundant. Proudly self-taught, she chose not to study Art academically after A Level, but still carried on painting and took on portrait commissions throughout her previous career.
Although her early work almost solely comprises of celebrity portraiture, namely musicians and cult figures, in more recent years her portfolio is vast and varied in subject matter and style. Across all bodies of work, Emma’s joy for life is as apparent as it is infectious.
Emma is fascinated by the unpredictability of human behaviour, from brief glances to the impermanence of facial expressions. She uses a mixture of unconventional, abrupt and spontaneous painting techniques, often revealing the physicality of the process in the final piece, as well as adopting a more intricate approach to create that beautiful contrast between harmony and chaos.
Always one to thrive on larger scales, in 2022 Emma began painting murals. Within a few months she was approached by a premier league football player to paint his own gym with portraits of himself; combining her two practices at the time. She was then approached for a similar project, in the south of France, and spent over 5 weeks painting 7 life size portraits of one player in different football kits.
Emma’s work has been exhibited in Gallery 31 during Cannes Film Festival, at Boomer Gallery in London Bridge, as well as her own solo exhibition at Deptford Does Art. Her popularity rise on social media, potentially a byproduct of the pandemic, reflects her international reach; having sold paintings to over 20 countries worldwide.
Her most recent collection, ‘Lenscapes’, reveals life at its best, through Emma’s eyes, while inviting the viewer to enjoy it in a way that’s true to them. Each piece reveals a woman reflecting on sun-drenched landscapes, full of adventurous spirit, desired dreams and youthful longing. This new series retains her liberal use of texture, vibrancy and layering techniques; creating tactile and evocative portraits.
Emma strives to squeeze the most out of her time, maintaining a zest for life that is clear in her eclectic set of interests/hobbies outside of the studio; mirroring the consistent theme of celebration weaving through her artwork. Her eagerness to learn reflects her fast-paced and varied career in art so far.
Above all else, Emma’s work is set out to inspire and spark joy.
I founded Crafternoon at the start of 2019 after hosting a little paint party for a few friends in the kitchen of my shared house. The events seemed to straighten out the seesaw of my priorities, and gave a balance between my love of people and my passion for painting. I was working full-time in the events industry at the time, as well as painting portrait commissions throughout the year. Nevertheless, dedicating my remaining free time to this new venture was a no brainer and didn't feel like an ounce of a sacrafice.
In the last few years, I've hosted painting events in some amazing locations across the UK and abroad, and have consistently seen first hand the benefits that come with completely letting go of reality for a few hours, with a paintbrush in hand. Adapting the busines during the pandemic with virtual classes broadened our horizons beyond the London community and forced me to constantly think a step ahead. Hosting the workshops now gives me the social outlet I need after taking my art full-time and is still one of the most rewarding parts of my life.
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